Musician, entrepreneur, and heiress Katrina Razon takes on another role as one of the organisers of the Wonderfruit Festival in Thailand, a gathering that advocates positive change and social responsibility.
Philippine Tatler: What was it about the Wonderfruit Festival that caught your attention and how did you become involved in it?
Katrina Razon: I attended the festival in its second year where I had the opportunity to meet the founders. I realised that it has a very special creative direction. For one, it is a festival that has sustainability and community at its core. As the years went by, I learnt that successful festivals are more experiencedriven as opposed to one-dimensional stage productions. Southeast Asia is slowly transitioning into a more mature festival landscape and I fi nd it exciting to be a part of that.
PT: What can the public expect from this year’s festival?
KR: Our guests can expect an array of inspiring speakers who will deliver talks on entrepreneurship, sustainability, and technology. Another point of interest is is the Farm Stage, one of our four stages, which is constructed almost entirely out of rice. This vision pays homage to the festival founders’ commitment to celebrating the arts and to honour the annual village harvesting of rice —the grain steeped in Thailand’s rich history.
PT: What were the challenges involved in organising the festival?
KR: Our biggest challenge was postponing the festival from December 2016 to February 2017 due to the tragic passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. We respected the 100-day mourning period during this diffi cult time. Thankfully, most of our original programming has remained intact with more artists coming on board.
PT: What else are you working on at the moment?
KR: My time is primarily dedicated between Los Angeles and Manila. Here, I work on developing TCM, a brand and events consultancy. In Los Angeles, I am focusing on the growth of my investment vehicle KSR Ventures, where I take an activist approach into the investments I make in entertainment and technology. Los Angeles has been a wonderful second home for me as it is the epicentre of the entertainment industry. What advice would you give to those who want to break into the music scene? This industry is tough. First, it requires building a network and maintaining it in a meaningful way. Second, fi nd the right partners. As much as you want to work with individuals who align and share a vision with you, it is just as important to collaborate with strategic partners who can take that vision into a successful direction. Get out of your comfort zone and open your heart to new experiences.